Tom Powers: Percy Harvin put on a show until he wore out

Percy Harvin, shown being examined by Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman on the sidelines in Seattle on Nov. 4, is incredibly talented but not incredibly big and needs to be used more judiciously. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

There is a valuable lesson here. Now the Vikings know exactly what it takes to wear out Percy Harvin. They have a blueprint for how not to use him in the future.

The Vikings just sort of wore the tread off that tire in the first half. Harvin isn't very big at all and can take only so much pounding. But the team has so few offensive weapons that Harvin simply was overused. It's nobody's fault, really. You ride that horse until it breaks down. The problem is that there isn't another horse in the barn.

The Vikings don't have any other options at wide receiver. Not one of those other fellows has stepped up and given the slightest hint that he might be of some consistent use. At least no one has shown anything so far, and it's awfully late.

The final four games will reinforce just how critical it is for the organization to draft receivers for 2013. Rick Spielman has had no success signing guys. That approach clearly has not worked. Now the team needs to burn several of its 2013 draft picks, especially the high ones, on receivers.

Meanwhile, Christian Ponder, who has been shaky, is now guaranteed one less reliable target for the rest of the season. That leaves him with tight end Kyle Rudolph. The opponents are wise to this, of course, and will pay extra close attention to him. The Packers really made it tough on Rudolph during the second half of Sunday's game. When Ponder had to try to go elsewhere, he found no one there. Ponder likely will continue to struggle, in part because of his lack of viable targets.

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Seriously, looking at the Green Bay receiving corps and then looking at the Vikings receiving corps, it was like comparing Saks Fifth Avenue to Wal-Mart. Except at these prices, the Minnesota receivers are no bargains.

It will be interesting to get Harvin's take on all of this after the season. And history tells us he will make those feelings known. Remember that last summer he went ballistic, publicly asking to be traded because, as it turned out, he was unhappy moving around to different positions. After an unexpectedly quick start, this has turned into a frustrating season for everyone.

Considering the beating he is taking, is Harvin OK with his situation here?

The Vikings aren't going to make the playoffs, even with a healthy Harvin. But it is frustrating to have one of Sunday's major attractions, someone who brings real excitement to the game, out of action for the rest of the season. Even at his most effective, it seemed as if Harvin spent the time between games wrapped in ice and bandages. He put on a show until he wore out.

When he comes back -- if he comes back with the Vikings -- he shouldn't run back every kick AND get targeted on the majority of pass plays. Plus, he should be kept out of the backfield altogether unless it's for a quick novelty play. He's incredibly talented but not incredibly big, and he needs to be used a bit more judiciously. The Vikings probably know that now. Call it trial and error.